On Feb. 3, Hollister Police Animal Care and Services Officers arrested a 15 year old juvenile on charges of Felony Animal Cruelty.

According to a news release from Hollister Police Animal Care and Services, "On Tuesday, Jan. 30, officers from Sunnyvale Animal Control contacted Hollister Police Animal Care and Services regarding a report of animal cruelty in the city of Hollister. Sunnyvale Animal Control Officers obtained a Snapchat video depicting a male suspect posing with a toy breed dog in his arms before throwing the dog to the ground. The video appeared to show the puppy landed approximately 7-10 feet in front of him."

Hollister Animal Care and Services Officers conducted further investigation and discovered there were other incidents of cruelty that had previously been unreported involving the same dog and the same suspect. Sunnyvale Animal Control also had information of a previous incident where the suspect had allegedly kicked the small animal and it landed several feet away. Hollister Animal Care and Services Officers were able to confirm the identity of the 15 year old juvenile and the location of his home in Hollister.

On Thursday, Feb 1, Animal Control Officers responded to the home of the juvenile and took custody of the dog depicted in the video. The dog in the video was an 8 month old black and white Maltese named “Bella”, weighing 5.8 pounds. Bella was immediately transported to a veterinarian for a health examination and then taken to the Hollister Animal Shelter. She will be held at the Hollister Animal Shelter throughout the remainder of the investigation.

The juvenile has been booked into San Benito County Juvenile Hall.

The Hollister Animal Care and Services news release asks anyone having information on this case to call AC Supervisor Kara Ells at 636-4320.

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